Coccidiosis in Zambian goats and the life cycle of eimerian species

Abstract

Boats are of economic importance in parts of Zambia because of their adaptability and that they can survive well during drought. Most goats found in Zambia are kept by peasant -farmers under simple village management. In this study, ten kids with ages ranging from 5.5 to 2(3 weeks and, pre-exposed to natural infection with coccidiosis were used. They were weaned, divided into two groups, and kept in a c o n f i ned area. 0oc ys t coun t, b ody we i ght, t empe rat ure, blood • samples for biochemical and haemotological analysis and clinical s y i n p t o m s w e r e r e c o r d e d w e e k 1 y „ B i o c h e m i c: a 1 m e a s u r e men t s i n c1ud ed serum to t a1 p r o •( albumin an d g1obu1in) The clinical symptoms of the disease appeared after six weeks of t he experiment i n the first s&t and after a week in t he second set. The kids became critically ill'during the last 10 days before they were sacrificed. Half the number of kids were ttreated with the coccociciostatci d r u g one day b e f o r e sacrifice. Post, mortem was carried out and cocci dial lesions w e re observed in the i n t e s tine. A d e t a i 1 e c! h i s t o logi c a 1 s t u d y was carried out on intestinal sections and the stages of the 1 i f e c y c 1 e a r" e p r e s e n ted. 6 i a n t a n d s m a 11 s c h i 2. o n t s w e r e observed and different forms of degenerating giant schizonts were recorded. Unusual areas of the vi11i containing only m i c: r o g a m e t. o c y t e s were a 1 s o o b s e r v e d .

survey carried. Statistical analysis of the results of the biochemical and haemntologica1 values were looked at in relation to development of disease of coccidiosi s. It. was observed that total serum protein arid albumin levels generally decreased. Results overall were slightly different reported results of European goats.